Roberto Carli

9.3

Lots going on here as the nose unwinds but unfortunately in a tasting scenario it's hard to see it evolve. There's a surprising amount of red fruit and subtle florals that are fully enveloped in sandalwood and cigar box. The oak shows up prominently but elegantly, like smelling the inside of a very nice guitar. On the palate, acidity and red fruit dominate with plenty of freshness, signaling longevity and less velvety tannins than I expected. They still hit the side of the mouth. — 2 months ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

From magnum. Straw gold color, fruit forward nose. Notes of citrus, lemon, apple slice, brioche toast. Some chalk and stone, some cranberries. Lots of energy in the glass, and even more so in the mouth. This is the real deal. 96+ — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Tasted blind. Dark tawny color. Sweet, candied fruit nose with notes of dark raspberries, some spice, some mocha, some gravel stone and a little soy sauce. In the mouth, there is a dryness to it when compared to the great nose and smells this gives off. Very masculine. Punches you in the face. Guessed 89 Rousseau Clos de Beze. Great juice! — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Tasted blind. Dark reddish tawny. Mostly translucent. Amazing nose. Powerful. A spectrum of notes including red fruit, cola, pencil lead, black truffles, coffee, blood sausage and some dry dark soil. Animalistic. Massive fruit and structure with a long finish. Someone says "honey ham" as a note in the nose and we all agree (first ever note involving the word "ham"). This was a wine where everyone's score or appreciation greatly improved over the evening. A best ever Unico for me. (M's 60th bday 4th of 14) — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Great color in the decanter... medium gold with an enticing perfume. Notes of sweet Meyer lemon, apricot, gravel stone, tan clay, some mint, a little ginger and some sweet marzipan. Has an exotic and slightly musty (desirable) funk. Huge weight with great fruit and solid acidity in the mouth. Decanted for 2 hours before drinking. Awesome juice! If you Google “why should I age white burgundy?”, an image of this 35 year old bottle should be shown... — 5 years ago

Hanibal

9.4

The wine is still very clean, color is ruby with no rim discoloration. The nose is on red fruit, cola and wet forest musk...in the mouth the taste is very balanced, alcohol is medium, nice acidity and the attack is on small red fruits. The middle of the mouth brings nice acidity and the finally is beginning to show secondary and tertiary tastes. Some mushroom, truffles and wild herbs. The length is very long. Not the best CdlR from Ponsot that i had but for a 2000 he hit it out of the park — 6 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.4

Very light pale yellow robe, nose of orchards, limestone and a hint of honeysuckle. Very fresh and rich in the mouth, with lemon zests and mineral notes. Very long. A pleasure now, but hold your breath. A great Dom. Impressive how each year they get it right ! — 8 months ago

with Jamie, Jose and 2 others

Mike Saviage

9.7

Dark gold, high pitched. Noptes of apricot, tan spice, sauteed pears. RIch and long in the mouth. Outstanding finish to the evening. — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Medium gold color. Heavy in the glass like oil. Killer nose. Notes of ripe apricot, tan spice, sea breeze, cardamom, some chalky limestone soil and sea shells. Rich and silky in the mouth. Light and not too heavy. Long finish. In a great spot. — 4 years ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.

100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.

Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little. — 4 years ago

Shaun McKinsey

9.1

Black cherry and licorice on the nose. Currant and elderberries in the mouth. Decent finish. — 6 years ago

with Jim

Mike Saviage

9.4

Nice bright tawny color. Herbal nose. Notes of herbs de Provence, raspberries, some moist earth and some rhubarb. Nicely balanced in the mouth. In a great drinking window. — 6 years ago

Kimberly Anderson

9.2

Interesting nose of bramble, menthol and cedar. Red plum, leather and spice. Soft, supple tannins with a long, mouth coating finish. Would sit on a bit yet -will only get better! — 6 years ago

with Gregory, Chad and 1 other

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

From makers of Sassicaia, Deep Ruby color with aromas of fresh red & black fruits and earthy floral notes, 55% Cab Sauv, 27% Merlot & 18% Cab Franc. On the palate flavors of cherry, plum & blackberry with floral, licorice, cacao and earthy notes, well integrated. Fine tannins, a wine with a solid structure, elegant and smooth, long finish, great mouth feel ending with fruit and oak. Will age well over next 5+ years. Nice! — 8 months ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Medium gold, heavy like oil in the glass. Complex nose with notes of citrus, stones, marzipan and a little honey. A hint of oxidation is evident, but it's part of the complexity this bottle offers tonight. In the mouth this has massive power, yet is silky and coats the palate. — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.9

Tasted blind. Deep purple color. Looks very young, compared to the 45 Margaux next to it. Almost opaque. Notes of black fruit, cracked walnuts, sweet fruit, raspberry and some cedar desk. Super rich in the mouth. Seems young and is firm, but tannins are softened and the mouthfeel is velvet touch. Long finish. It peacocks all night. The walnuts thing leads my guess to Latour, but can this be the 45? Is it a 61 or 82? Could be... I go with it being a 59 given how young it seems. Just an amazing bottle of wine, open for ~9 hours by the time we left, it seemed to effortlessly power along. Thanks Stan! — 4 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.4

After a coffee chat at work yesterday that ended discussing Hillside Select I was motivated to open one for the holiday weekend. Initially I was very disappointed as the wine was flat and uninspiring considering the pedigree and price tag. Read some reviews that this 2013 needs A LOT of air and sure enough after hours the wine began to evolve and markedly improve. It is an intense wine that lingers in the mouth for a long time. Smooth tannins, red fruit and tobacco flavors. Not my most favorite wine and not at the $229 I paid, but nonetheless a very good wine once it had the chance to get some air for a few hours — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Tasted blind. Medium gold color. Nice weight with an enticing nose. Notes of citrus, toast, clay, river stone and pit fruit. Rich and palate staining in the mouth. Seems young. I guess 02 Leflaive Combettes. We were all surprised with the reveal as a few of us have had this bottle a dozen times or more and we didn’t guess it. This bottle had many years of life in front of it yet. Great stuff! — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Medium gold, heavy in the glass. Awesome aged Raveneau nose. Notes of citrus, kimmeridgian white stone and light colored dirt, some honey, some spice. Great mouth feel, with acidity that powered up over 4-5 hours. Awesome with some angel hair pasta and shrimp, looking out over the Kohala Coast. — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Medium gold, nice heavy weight in the glass. Steely, fruity nose. Notes of Meyer lemon, wet river stones, tan spice, rocky soil, some tangerine and some ripe apricot. Rich and powerful in the mouth. Great overall structure and balance. This is playing up a weight class or two. Feeling Cochey! — 6 years ago